The Waynesville Public Art Commission members would like to express their gratitude to all of the artists and all of the public that helped to make Salamander Splash, on Thursday, June 24, a huge success.

Forty-eight Haywood County artists stepped up to the plate and accepted the challenge of making an art work celebrating salamanders! The artwork came in all forms — oil and watercolor paintings, fiber wall art, wood, steel and pottery in various styles.

A huge thank you goes out to the following artists:  David Stone, Brad Dodson, Carolyn Taylor, Jane and Bill Cole, Teresa Pennington, Terrance Painter, Dominick DePaola, Nancy Blevins, Lill Parks, Nancy Bernard, Veronica Von Zwehl, Bonnie and Jere Smith, Chris Sylvester, Marilyn Sullivan, Vickie Beck, Kaaren Stoner, Grace Cathey, Melissa Burrell, Jo Kelley, Ben Kastner, Susan Phillips, J.R. and Kristen Page, Jane Stoner, Frances Williams, Carolyn Strickland, Scottie Harris, Trudy Rapp, Karen Bell, Char Avrunin, Jeanne Colburn and Margaret Remington, Mary Edwards, Mari Coneen, Keri Anna Kelley, Jon Bowman, Janice Swanger, Ed Kelley, Sherri Lesperance, Michael Gillespie, Tanya Collier, Jennifer Riddle, and Dane and MaryEtta Burr.

More than 150 folks plus many of the artists came out to enjoy the fabulous barbecue prepared by Frank McLeod and his team, the music of the Chance Keuhn Trio and the auction conducted by Stacy Woods.

Through ticket sales and sales of the artwork, nearly $12,000 was raised to help pay for the railing to be constructed by Ben Kastner and Richard Coley of Intracoastal Iron, Wilmington, N.C. The goal of raising $20,000, the contracted amount for the railing, is in sight.

Ben and Richard won the design contract  for an artistic railing to be installed at the mini-park at Main and Depot. The park is undergoing a transformation that will offer more seating, new plantings, and a new spot to relax in downtown Waynesville. The railing will be installed in late September and dedicated on Oct. 1, 2010. Richard attended Salamander Splash and answered questions about the work on the railing.

All monies used to pay for this project and the two previous projects undertaken by the Commission — “Old Time Music” and “Celebrating Folkmoot,” have been raised from local businesses and the public.

The Commission would also like to acknowledge the assistance of Ginny Boyer and Phyllis McClure at the Waynesville Town Hall for ongoing assistance in our activities; Jon Bowman and Jamie Cogdill for serving as our bartenders of the evening; Wells Funeral Home for lending chairs; The Downtown Waynesville Association for assistance in selling tickets; and to the Parks and Recreation Department for hauling tables and chairs to the event.

A huge thank you also goes out to HART Theatre for the generous use of their facilities and grounds.

The commission members: Kaaren Stoner, chair: Marilyn Sullivan, secretary and fundraising chair; Chris Sylvester, graphic artist for all commission publicity; Mieko Thomson, treasurer; and  Philan Medford,  David Blevins, Janice Griffen and William King all wish to express their deep appreciation for the generous support of the artists and citizens of Haywood County in this endeavor.

Kaaren Stoner

Haywood County